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HunkFam · Apr 21, 2003, 08:03 PM

Hello All,

I flew to the states from Germany for a week and will be going to Tyson's Corner in Washington D.C. to SWITCH this week. Unfortunately, I cannot make up my mind WHICH ALuminum Powerbook (and I DO want a Powerbook) is right for me...

I have researched this to the hilt, so I know all the technical differences between the two, but I WANT to know what the Users think...

Here is what I will buy this week:

Powerbook w/Superdrive
Airport Ex base station
Apple Warranty
Microsoft Suite
PC 6.0
Missing Manual
Upgrade for 12" (if needed) to 640 MB of RAM

My plan is to still use my desktop PC and my wireless Mac together.

What will I use it for:

Internet Surfing
Email
Beginning Digital "Stuff" (Convert old 8mm tapes to DVDs, Photo management, etc.)
Intermittent travel
General wireless coolness

I have 3 kids so this will be our "second" and "parental" computer.

I've been to Tyson's twice already to get the full sale (those guys are good!) job, but now it's decision time!

My concerns with the 17" are its size--I want my Wife to WANT to use it and the 17" model is a bit big--not to mention it will just be easier to drop by wife or kids...It's a sweet machine, but I did think it was a bit ostentateous--I think I might be a bit embarrassed with it in public (no, really). Also, I've got to buy another bag for it and I love my current bag (seems stupid, I know--but it's a consideration).

So...will the 12" satisfy my needs? Is it just too small, slow, or finicky (it seems like there has been more complaints about the 12" on this forum). I just don't know...what do the users say?

thanks for the help,
Thad

P.S.
Any tips on using my "1 hour" Apple Care upgrade session this week--remember, I fly back on Saturday and I'll be FAR FAR away...thanks

HunkFam · Apr 21, 2003, 08:06 PM

I forgot to mention that I don't really have a desk for this thing in my house, so it will "move around" the house quite a bit--which is another reason for the "size" issue..

thanks,
Thad

jon_hh_68 · Apr 21, 2003, 08:21 PM

It sounds like the 12 inch will do nicely for you. I have one and it is fantastic. I just finished and burned an iMovie DVD with no problems. I have all my photos on it, etc. I also move it around the house very easily, which would be more difficult with the 17 inch. The G4 will help you with the digital stuff. Get the maxed out RAM and SuperDrive. With the money you save you can get a nice LCD flat panel to have some extra screen space (just not with a DVI connector, VGA only).

Originally posted by HunkFam:
I forgot to mention that I don't really have a desk for this thing in my house, so it will "move around" the house quite a bit--which is another reason for the "size" issue..

thanks,
Thad

parsec_kadets · Apr 21, 2003, 08:37 PM

From what you've said I would have to say the 12" would be the way to go. I think your concerns over size are mostly minor. It's not too hard to move the 17" around, and you'll get used to using it in public if you're not comfortable at first. However, for what you need the speed of the 12" will be plenty fine. Save yourself some money and get the 12"

KeriVit · Apr 21, 2003, 08:39 PM

I have the 17" and a 12" iBook. I love the size of the 17" for many reasons- I can fit two windows (aaaccckk) on the screen simultaneously and have plenty of room for photo work, etc. But I have to say, the for convenience- just to check email, a quick website, or write a letter, etc.- I have been tending to pick up the old iBook first.

Now, I have the convenience of 2- both wireless. So it's easy for me. But, it really does depend where and when you plan on using it. For a family swapping it out and moving it around, I just might opt for the 12".

Aykew · Apr 21, 2003, 08:54 PM

I really really really (really really) love my 17" powerbook, but I also love my wife's 12" powerbook as well. Everytime I pick it up, I think about how cute, small, and useable the little thing is. Sounds like that's the one for you... and you can spend the $1500 difference on something nice!

AssassyN · Apr 21, 2003, 10:45 PM

In all honesty, I think either machine would be great for you. However, unless you'll be doing heavy video editing, gaming, or otherwise majorly intensive tasks, there'd be no real reason to get the 17" PB when you could save a ton and get the 12" PB and not have to worry over size being an issue. One tad of adivce, though, get 640megs of RAM in the 12" PB first thing.

The 17" PB is wonderful, but for the usage you say you'll need it for, it just seems that the smaller sized 12" PB will handle your needs better and save you cash that you can drop on some nice accessories.

Good luck in your decision!

gator · Apr 21, 2003, 10:52 PM

The 12" should be fine, screen real estate shouldn't be much of an issue. You may or may not find fonts to be a touch small sometimes on the 12" screen (though kids should have no problem with font size) .. for web browsing you can always just increase the font size if necessary though.

SOLIDAge · Apr 21, 2003, 11:15 PM

i went from a 15 inch Ti to a 17" iMac, then got a 12" Al

the Al is perfect, you won't feel its to small, or cramped. And its especially good for the nice balence of portability and power!

HunkFam · Apr 22, 2003, 12:43 AM

Dear MacNN posters,

5 hours later and I already have 6 postings.

Wow. All I can say is Wow. Your support has been amazing (Assassyn, your advice is gold). Thank you so much for your support. I love this site--and I've perused most (I'd NEVER say all) of the "Mac" sites.

I've also noticed that I'm 6 for 6 on support for the 12", which suprises me...anyone else with an input? I think I'll drive up tomorrow...

thanks again...I appreciate your support...It's so comforting to have a great response from objective (albeit Mac) users..

Any advice on the 1 hour of free tutelage with Apple support? Remember, this is pretty much all I get before my departure back to "no-Apple-support-land."

later,
Thad

oogje · Apr 22, 2003, 01:17 AM

Make it 7 for 7 (or is it 8 for 8). The 12" is going to be more convenient for you and more fun.

ber

Hanul · Apr 22, 2003, 06:36 AM

Maybe I misunderstand what you mean by "Apple Warranty", but if you intend to buy Apple Care for your PowerBook, don't. I bought an iBook last year in the States and asked for the Apple Care package. Well, it provides extended warranty and support for the Americas, but not for Europe (see terms and conditions http://a1456.g.akamai.net/7/1456/51/...Conditions.pdf).

Apple Care is not an international valid warranty. If you are using your PB in Europe, buy the Apple Care from the European Apple Store or a reseller.

Mastrap · Apr 22, 2003, 07:09 AM

I hope you'll still be getting this - I strongly recommend against purchasing the PB in the US and then bringing it back to Germany.

Three reasons, in order of importance

1: Customs. A friend of mine got nabbed (badly, court case and everything) by customs for importing a PB without declaring it. Granted, he was extremely unlucky but it does happen Please don't take this as an accusation, for all I know you might want to pay import duty on it. It kind of negates the saving though.

2. Warranty. US warranty is valid for 90 days, EU warranty is one year and Germany is 2 years. That alone is worth the extra money IMO.

3: Keyboard and special characters. Assuming you're German you'll need your Umlauts. A pain in the proverbial to hit "alt/u" "u" anytime you want to get your "�".

If money is the deciding factor have you thought about getting a return? I have just ordered a 12" from Apple. Unused, it arrived at the previous owner with a dead DVD drive. It's been back to the factory, had a new drive fitted, checked, repackaged etc. and is now on its way to me with a ?600,00 discount on the shop price. Which I consider a bargain.

Anyway, whatever you decide have fun with your purchase. I am sitting here waiting for the

delivery van to arrive. I feel like a 5 year old the night before Christmas

Hanul · Apr 22, 2003, 08:41 AM

I agree with Mastrap. It's not worth the trouble anymore to buy in the US to save some bucks. Last summer, the difference in price for an iBook was �500. Now, Apple has adjusted the European prices to the current Euro/Dollar conversion rate. What's the tax in D.C.? 6, 8%? The 12" PB with SD starts at $1999 without tax, which adds $120-180. Customs will add at least another 16%. This will put the PB at ~�2500.

In the German Apple store the PB starts at �2400, which is obviously less than �2500

but you get a 2 year warranty instead of 90 days. Even if you get around customs the extended warranty is worth the extra �200-300.

AssassyN · Apr 22, 2003, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by HunkFam:
Dear MacNN posters,

5 hours later and I already have 6 postings.

Wow. All I can say is Wow. Your support has been amazing (Assassyn, your advice is gold). Thank you so much for your support. I love this site--and I've perused most (I'd NEVER say all) of the "Mac" sites.

I've also noticed that I'm 6 for 6 on support for the 12", which suprises me...anyone else with an input? I think I'll drive up tomorrow...

thanks again...I appreciate your support...It's so comforting to have a great response from objective (albeit Mac) users..

Any advice on the 1 hour of free tutelage with Apple support? Remember, this is pretty much all I get before my departure back to "no-Apple-support-land."

later,
Thad

No problem man...this is the SAME way I felt when asking about purchasing the 17" PB way back in Jan. 2003, it's just so nice to find such a community.

But I would hafta agree...you might want to consider ordering an American PB and having it shipped into Germany, if only for the tech-support you'll be eligible for. Notebooks need AppleCare, hands down. Most likely it'll come in handy, if for nothing more than a battery replacement, even then it's almost already paid for itself. Good luck!

Hanul · Apr 22, 2003, 09:52 AM

HunkFam, if you consider buying the PowerBook in the US, because of the US keyboard, you have to know that you can just order it from the German Apple Store (keyboard option: Int'l English).

Of course you can change MacOS X to (almost) every language you like, but that's not true for the US versions of certain applications like Office v.X.

About your initial question: I'm the happy owner of an 12" PB (SD/640MB/60GB/AE) and it's a great machine. I would recommend (like all the others) a 12", it seems to fit your needs best.

morlium · Apr 22, 2003, 10:02 AM

I have a 17" and love it.
However, it's definately an expnsive niche product, and I hesitate to recommend it to someone who isn't a computer "freak" (for lack of a better word).

I had previously owned an iBook, which was fine for small tasks like importing pics, surfing and e-mailing (not to mention the wireless range is great!), but once I saved enough money for the Photoshop, InDesign, et al., I found myself needing more power and screen space. I sold it and bought the 15"; in January, I sold that and bought the 17".

Bottom line, I'd get the 12" PowerBook to start. If, after a few months, you find yourself needing more raw power, you can always sell it for practically what you paid (considering your kids haven't torn it apart). Macs are blessed with very high resell values.

HunkFam · Apr 22, 2003, 04:19 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm an American and military overseas taboot..therefore, the umlauts don't interest me and I don't think customs is an issue either since I'm American/US Citizen...but I'm gonna check to be sure...Anyone know?

Hmmm, I called the Apple Works hotline to clarify the warranty issue. They said I just give them a call (stateside), they send me a box to ship it back to the US and then I ship it back. The only thing I lose is the extended downtime. They pay for everything. ?????

Thad

AssassyN · Apr 22, 2003, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by HunkFam:
Hi everyone,

I'm an American and military overseas taboot..therefore, the umlauts don't interest me and I don't think customs is an issue either since I'm American/US Citizen...but I'm gonna check to be sure...Anyone know?

Hmmm, I called the Apple Works hotline to clarify the warranty issue. They said I just give them a call (stateside), they send me a box to ship it back to the US and then I ship it back. The only thing I lose is the extended downtime. They pay for everything. ?????

Thad

Ahh, you may be alright then since you're a US citizen, however you should still check to be sure.

Also, you may end up having to pay a tad of the shipping, but possibly not because they usually send you a shipping label which you just apply and mail, so they cover everything warrenty wise.

HunkFam · Apr 22, 2003, 09:37 PM

Assassyn wrote:

Also, you may end up having to pay a tad of the shipping, but possibly not because they usually send you a shipping label which you just apply and mail, so they cover everything warrenty wise

Actually, military overseas only pays normal US domestic rates (think of it as though we are on an "island of the US" over there, with a US Post office and everything) so their shipping label WOULD work. Again, the only problem is the extended down time...but since this is my first Apple product and it IS a laptop, I think it is worth it...plus, they give me the free hour of tutelage on HOW to configure my new laptop and use it...

thanks Assassyn and everyone else,

Thad

AssassyN · Apr 22, 2003, 09:48 PM

Originally posted by HunkFam:
Assassyn wrote:

Also, you may end up having to pay a tad of the shipping, but possibly not because they usually send you a shipping label which you just apply and mail, so they cover everything warrenty wise

Actually, military overseas only pays normal US domestic rates (think of it as though we are on an "island of the US" over there, with a US Post office and everything) so their shipping label WOULD work. Again, the only problem is the extended down time...but since this is my first Apple product and it IS a laptop, I think it is worth it...plus, they give me the free hour of tutelage on HOW to configure my new laptop and use it...

thanks Assassyn and everyone else,

Thad

Oh good deal!

Sounds like you're set then!